n .1. CI i. * VMM A • i I COMP. TOPEKA, VOLUME XXXVI. No. 101. DEATH TAKES THE SaccoiKor to Thk lola DailT HeKinter, The lola Diiiljr Kccard. and lola DBily.'.Index. lOLA, KAS., THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 23, 1933. The Weekly Kegiater, £:stn1i1i«hed 1867. Tho.lols Daily Kegistor. K«tnbli»hed 1897. EIGHT PAGES OFLAHARPE SHOCK FRO^ A HlGH TENSION LINE IS FATAL TAPE MAKES A CIRCUIT Hidden Wires Form l^ath \ For 66,000 Vplts' To Ensminger Plvc strands of copper wire, each no bigger than a tliread, were responsible for the death yesterday of George Ensminger, mayor of La- Harpe, and the serious Injarj- of ^ank Wilson, also of LaHarpe. ' The two were trj-lng to measure the distance from the ground to a high Voltage. line at a point a mile north of LaHarpe, in order to determiiie If a house they were planning to move would pass under the wires. Ensminger had a 1,00,foot measuring tape, commonly used -by contractors, and was holding an end while Wilson threw the other over the,'wires which were carrying 6600-volta of electricity. It was Ens- mlngcr's last not. The measuring tape, although made of fabric for the most part; contained five strands of verj- fine copper wire Incorporated. Into the tajjc to keep It from becoming Inaccurate through stretching. The copper 1» completely covered by the fabric, ^6 that Its presence can only be determined by holding the tape - to the light and noticing the shadows cast; by the wires. Coroner Ira Kerwoo4 said, however, that the first few inches of the tape were stamped; with the words, "Improved MetnUlc;"; $i}frotation Blamed. - . Since both; men were apparently holding .the tape, there was some doubt as; to why Ensminger was • killed an^ Wilson escaped. Both were standing on dry ground in the road when the shock struck them, and both ;were bvirned on the hands - to about ^e. same extent. Dr. Ker- i^-ood sai^although the bums themselves wiSre not serious. i)r. Ketwood gave it as hlS opinion that: Sfuffocation played an important ,part In Ensminger's! death. He said ; that after the shock he probably stumbled forward and fell face downward, in some sliallow water lii.a ditch. Wilson, the coroner saldi: also probably fell forward but was • able to rise. When Ensminger #as found he was lying with his mouth and nose under the wa- tef, and jalthoiigh no i water was foimd in his lungs, Dr. Kerv,'ood said that suffocation ;may have kept- him from reylv-Ing to some extent after'! the shod'fcl Ensnilnger's watch stopped atilohe minute before 5, the case full rbf water. ; , Wilson :Was found staggering down the ro.adibj- W. L. McKeever, opiX)s- Itc whosie home the accident occurred. McKeever took him to lus home ?in^ summoned aid. Wilson w.is In: a daze for some Mjne and was imable to answer any questions. He finally remembered trying to throw the tajie across tho wires and foiling twice. He did hot remem-, ,. ber the successful attempt. About fourteen (pet of the tape was burned when tlie circuit was! made. Dr. Kerwood said. The funeral for Mr. Ensminger win be held Saturday atj2 p. m. In the Methodist church, in LaHarpe arid burial Is to be made in the Moran cemetery. Tlie Leslie J. Campbell post; of the American.Legion, of which he was a member, and ' the LaHarpe I. O. O..F., will participate in the services. | "Mxs. Pauline Ensminger and her two sons, George Jr., aind; Ernest, survive in the immediate faijilly. Mr. Ensminger also leaveis his father, Henry Ensminger of LaHarpe; Walter, a brother, also of LaHarpe; jjEarl, brother, Emporia; . Henry, . brother, Fargo, Okla. His sisters - are Mrs, Mary Lawler, Hartford; Mrs. Lena Pyles, Bayard, and Mrs. Rosa Elfer, Dtmlap. FITNERAL OF T. IL McDOWELL : JUST FOUR MORE SHOP: PING DAYS TILL MAR. 1. •We can't sell 2O0O tags hi : four days," County Treasurer : Melvln Fronk declared today : when he looked at the calendar : and discovered that there are : but four more "shopping days" : before the 50-cent penalty will : be added to the cost of automo: bile license plates. : Mr. Fronk said that the pen: alty will be put rigidly into ef: feet March 1, and that auto: mobile owners who don't have : their licenses before then will : p£Cy a half-dollar more than if : they were to make their pur: chases before next Wednesday. : The treasurer said about 1700 : sets have been sold so far, which : would mean that more than 2000 : plates must be sold yet before : every' automobile owned and : operated In Allen cdunty is : properly equipped. STATE PRESSES TOO BUSY Legislatnre Keeps School Examination Papers Held Up. Because the state printing presses are so busy grinding out legislative material question forms for the third bi-monthly rural school examinations could not be printed In time, according to a letter received today by Miss Dollle V. Adams, county superintendent. Consequently,, the examinations will be held March 9-10 instead of March 2-3. "Hie delay does not cause any inconvenience, however, Miss Adams said, because sickness and bad weather has slowed up progress in many of the county school". THEATER GUILD OFIOUFORMED IN HOm MEET Organizations Perfected And Officers Elected Last Night MRS. WRIGHT CHOSEN THOROMAN TALKS IN CHAPEL. The Rfev. J. Lee Releford to Con- dact Service Tomorrow *t 3:30. The funeral of Thomas H. McDowell, whose death occurred Tues- daj', wUr be held In the Sleeper service rooms tomorrow at 3:30 p. m., it was announced today. "The Rev. J. Lee Relefoid, pastor of the Christion church, will be in charge and burial Is to be made In the lola cemetery,. Mr. McDowell, was 68 years old. WEATHER and ROADS FOR KANSAS—Fair tonlgrht and Friday; con<inned mSId temperature. Temperature—Highest yesterday 68, lowest last night 35; normal for today 36; excess yesterday 16; excess since January 1st, 396 degrees; this date last j-ear—highest 59; lowest 28. ..precljiltation for the 24 hours ending,'at 7 a. m. today .00; total for this s«ar to date, 1.67; deflcien- ,t.r slncp .January: 1st .98 inches, i Relative humidity at 7 a. m. td- ^d.ny 82rper cent; barometer reduced ' to sea level, 30.02] inches. sun rises 7:02 a.-m.; sets 6:09 p. m. • . ' feather and Dirt Roads. '5'ooffeyvllle, M<inhattan, Ottawa, Emporia; Topeka, Arkansas City, ' Wlchltii, SaUna, Pittsburg, clear, roads goodl ' Stadenta Entertained by Chorus From Operetta Tonight. Supt. A. M. Thoroman addressed the high school assembly this morning, speaking about the changing economic situation and making; suggestions about how the student can improve present conditions. The talk was preceded by a chorus from the operetta, "The Fire Prince." which will be presented tonight in the ;high school auditorium under the direction of E. V. Worsham. The operetta is scheduled to begin at 8:15 p. m. and the high school orchestra vrill furnish the musical accompaniment.. Admission Is 15 and 25 cents. NO JUCO CLASSES TOMORROW. Teachers to Attend College Association Meeting in Kamas City. No classes will be held In the junior college tomorrow while the faculty members attend- the thirteenth annual meeting of the American Association of Junior Colleges at the Muehlebach hotel In Kansas City, Feb. 24 and 25. Those who will attend are Mrs. Florence Kent Belding, •J. B. Bruce. E. W. Haglund, G. E. Landrura, and Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Carpenter. NORRIS VS. SPIDER Corporate Control hy\ Banks Object of New Yoik [Attack Wa.shington, Feb. 23.; (AP)—With charts and pointer. Senator Norris launched In the senate ,toda.y an at-' tack upon what he referi-ed to as the "spider" of corporate control by New York banks, i Pointing to a chart eight feet square entitled "spider web of Wall Street." the Ncbraskan told the senate It did not "come anywhere near • being big enough to show all the corporations under the influence of the New York financial center. "There Isn't wall space In this senate cham'ber that would hold the map," he said. "Instcail of 120 major corporations, shown here, there would be thousands." Pointing to the eight legs of the huge black spider, he said these represented J. P. Morgan & Co., Guaranty Trust Company, Bankers Trust Company,,and the First National, Ir\ihg Trust Company, Central Hanover, National City and Chase National ibanks. | A web-like maze of bllack lines he described as connecting these eight banks with 120 major | corporations by means of inter-locklng directorates. Each line, he said, means that tljebank and the corporation have at least one director In common. The great banking houses, he said, ;can "control practically any corpoi^tion of any size in the United States." MILTON J. FULWIDER IS DEAD. Funeral to be Held Satiirday Morning at Sleeper's. Milton J. Fulwider, an inmate at the county poor fami, died there today after a periodj of falling health. He was 74 years old and had lived hi Allen county since 1870. He WAS bom in RockviUe, Ind.^ The Rev. W. P. Wharton, pastor of the First Methodist church, wiU conduct the funeral service at the Sleeper service rooms Saturday at 10 a. m. Burial Is to be made in the Pleasant Valley cemetery. Mr. Fulwider leaves only a few distant relatives. jY. W. C. A. Conducts Assembly. The Y. W. C. A. was in charge of the program in Junior college as- isembly this morning. Margaret Williams led devotioiials and announced the progran^ which consisted of a reading by ^Jary Mosher; a piano solo by Virginia Plnley; a vocal solo by Mable | Fackler, accompanied by Celeste |GrlfQth, with violin obligate by Ethejl Slrong; and a violin and clarinet duet played by Rose Prantz and Paye^ We^sfc. Other Officers Include W. Dreher and Mrs. A. G. Speegle "The Theater Guild of lola," came into formal being last night as bffi- cers were elected and a constitution and by-laws voted upon at a meeting held In the KeUey. hotel. Mrs. Lillian Wright, who has been actively identified with the movement since its Inception, was chosen president. William Dreher was named vlce-presldeht, i and ^ Mrs. A. G. Speegle secretary-treasxurer. Those thfee officers constitute the executive committee. Membership ai me organization Is divided into three classifications under the constltutlbn as it was approved last night., Active members may be admitted upon written application and payment of $1 dues annually. Associate members must pay $2 dues, but they will not par^ tlclpate In any business of the guild. Their privileges consist only of attending without charge each of the eight meetings in the year as well as the two major prodLCtions which tlio guild plans to ofltr the public as well as its own members during the year. Junior members (10 years old or youngcr)~-may be admitted upon payment of Sb-cent annual dues. Membership Is limited to 75 active members and 10 junior members. It Is expected that about fifty charter, members will be taken Into the guild. At each of the eight regular meetings either a one-act play will be produced and a lecture-forum conducted, or a modem play reviewed and a lecture-forum conducted. Persons who are not members may attend any of the eight meetings by paying an admission price of 25 cents. It Is also the plan to endeavor to bring one out-of-town lecturer and to bring one out-of-town production to lola during the year. Two major plays will be produced In addition, to which the public will be Invited and for which addilsslon will be charged. Regular meeting will be held on the third Thursday of each month except May, June, July, and August. Library hall.has been tentatively selected for a meeting place. The aim of the guild Is to furnish a medium of expression for persons Interested in the- theater^ as a hobby, and to furnish also a means for acquiring a keener appreciation of the theater through education. It was pointed out that as the program schedule is arranged now, the time will be divided about equally between the expression and appreciation phases of the enterprise. In setting a membership limit on the guild, those,at the meeting last night had in mind not the desire to make tho organization exclusive, but to hold it down to such size as would make It possible for every active member to participate at least once each year In one of the plays. B. P. W. SPONSOR QUILT TEA Madam Pattic Hall of Leavenworth to Speak on Quilt History. Tlie Business and Professional womens' club of lola Invites the public to attend a quilt tea to be given at the Presbyterian church tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 and again at 8 p. m. Madam Pattie Hall of Leavenworth, will exhibit more than 250 quilt blocks and give the history of each design in her lecture which will constitute the programs for the teas. She wUl also speak on the history of patchwork In America. Tea will be served after each program. Roosievelt Busy Now on Other Key Afipointments William Phillips, Prof. Raymond Moley, 'Vincent Astor, and Ben Lindsey Prominent in Lineup President-elect' ia Considering for Lesser Jobs. Hyde Park, N. Y., Feb. 23. (AP)— In the seclusion of the family estate on the Hudson! river* President-elect Roosevelt!^ is scanning the Democratic list for the multitude of men and womSh he must pick, to take over key positions In the government on March 4. He has a long list from James A. Farley, the national chairman who is supervising patronage. Many names are becoming defUiitely fixed in the lineup. I With his cabinet well = in mlhd, the presldent-.eWct undoubtedly Is consulttog these officers as to their immediate assistants. Some fairly definite guesses ah^ady can be made. j WlUlam Phillips, of Massachusetts, appears to be a probable choice for imder-secretary of state and Professor I Raymond Moley, war debts expert, for first assistant secretary of state. In the treasury department, How- Big Job Ahead Of George Dem MRS. MORENO DIES IN FALL. Movie Actor's Wife KUled in'-Automobile Plunge Over Cliff. Hollywood. Cal., Feb. .23. (AP)— Mrs. Daisy Canfield Moreno, oil fortune heiress and estranged wife of Antonio Moreno, film actor, was killed early today when an automobile plunged off a 300-foot embankment in the Hollywood foothills, 'f . ' The wife of the actor was riding with Rene H. Dussag, who, after the accident, climbed back, to the highway and signalled passing.mo­ torists. He was injured slightly. "Mrs. Moreno, the daughter of the late Charles Canfield, multl-mll- Uonalre oil man of California, was married to Moreno In 1923 and a few weeks ago separated from her husband. A daughter by a previous marriage is the wife of Francis Tap- paan, an attorney in Los Angeles. DEMO! WOMEN TO CELEBRATE First Victory in History of Natlonaj Club the Occaafio)?. Washington, Feb. 23. (AP)—What might be termed a feminine po- Utlcal "pep meeting" will be part of the Inauguration fan-fare for the Women's National Democratic club. That active organization, formed ten years ago and now celebrattag the first party victory in Its history, today announced a series of conferences for March 2 and 3. Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt accepted an Invitation to be guest March 3. Washington; Feb. 23. (AP)—In tho face of troublous'conditions Inr several parts, of- the world the big problem conftontlng the Incoming secretary of war will be to provide adequate natibnal defense at minimum expense.^ George H. Dorn, former governor of Utah, is believed in Washington to be the man upon ;whom- that duly will fall. What the army wants; Is to maintain Its present status. Any cut in its trained man power, officers contend, would weaken the main props of this country's national defense. Demands oi the budget for curtailed expenditures gave General Douglas MacArthur, chief of staff, an opportunity to warn the house appropriations subcommittee that any further reduction of the land forces would "destroy the military framework of our system of national defense^" The appropriation bill for the year beginning next Jjuly 1 is still before congress. 1 .Another problem the new secretary may have to face Is the care of 88,000 "wandering boys" who would be taken lnt6 army camps for u year under a: bill now before congress. A total of 22 million dollars would be allowed to defray the expense of the I undertaking. Proposals to abandon a number of army posts will be an Issue which will take a lot of time. Senators or representatives of the affected districts often oppose any army move in that direction. In (.he matter of non-mllitai-y affairs, the war! department head will Indirectly have to wrestle with the Muscle Shoals problem, through ..the army's ordinance department which acts as custt^lan of the property. Then tliere Is the proposal of President-elect Roosevelt to Improve the Tennessee rlVer basin. Other major non-mllltary actlvl- tte."! are the g;overnment barge lines and flood coiitrol on the Mississippi and other rivers. INTO BERN'S DEATH Suicide Case lowingl May Be Reopened Fol- Secret Inquiry Los Angeles, Feb. 23. (AP)—A reopening of the Investigation Into the death of Paul Bern, motion picture producer and husband of Jean Harlow, screeh star, appeared likely today as a result of a secret Inquiry started by two members of the county grand; jury. ^ The jurors have obtained a copy of the transcript of the inquest Into the death of Bern and have been studying it several days, it was learned. W. W. Wld^nham, foreman of the jury, and O. G. Lawton, member of the criminal complaints committee, of the Inquisitorial body, are the two who have Interested themselves in the case. j. ! ! District Attomey Buroii Fltts said he knew of no reason why the investigation of the case should be reopened, but added "if Information should be disclosed warrantllng' a reopening, necessary action will be 'taken.'f . ' | I • Bern was [found shot to death In the dressing iroom of his home last September, a few months after his marriage to I the platinum blonde actress. A bullet hole In his Iright temple and a pistol clutched in his hand, i coupled with a note on a table near his bed In which he told of a jilan to take his own life, brought a suicide verdict at the coroner's inquest. A few days after the apparent sulcldei, of Bern, a woman known as Dorothy Mlllette, with whom, in- vestigaltion showed, Bern had lived for several years prior to his marriage tp Miss Harlow, ended her life by Junjplng from a Sacramento river steamer. _ Tfaoroman to Minneapolis. Supti A. M. Thoroman will leiaVe Friday! to attend the National Educational association convention In Minneapolis. He will attend some of the I sessions of the American As- sociatibn of Junior Colleges in Kansas City enroute. Pentecostal Church Mectlnf. The public is Invited to hear E. I. Sharman and F. R. DeSha speak at a special meeting to be held at the Pentecostal church tonight. "Hie Rev. J.' A. Dunham, pastor, made the annoimcement, and said the speakers are from Bristov, O&Ig. ard Bruce of Maryland is regarded as the probable under-secretary. Arthur O'Brien of Washhigton Is in line for an assistant secretaryship there. Under Postmaster General Farley, James O. Mahoney of Wyoming and William H. Howes of South Dakota are escpected to serve as first and second assistants respectively. The names of Vincent Astor of New York and Archibald McNeU of (Dorinectlcut are heard j ,most prominently for assistant secretaries In the navy. William Kemper lOf Kansas,City is talked about for assistant secretary of war. As right hand men for Henry Wallace of Iowa In the-agriculture department, the names of Frank Murphy of Minnesota and Henry Morganthau Jr., of New York stand out In the discussion. Daniel J. Tobln Of Indianapolis Is believed hi line for assistant to Miss Frances Perkins, the Roosevelt choice for secretary of labor.; ' Homer Cummlngs of Connecticut, who waged the fight in that state for Roosevelt before the convention. Is marked down for the much sought governor generalship of the Philippines. Ben Lindsey of Los Angeles, former Juvenile judge in Denver, Is discussed for governor of Hawaii. Judge Bert Fish of Deland'. Florida, is looked upon as the next governor of Porto Rico. Leaving late today for Albany, Mr. Roosevelt will attend the annual dinner tonight of the legislative correspondents association. He will motor with Mrs. Roosevelt to the state capital, where they will be ovemlfiht guests of Governor and Mrs. Herbert H. Lehman. Tomorrow Mr. Roosevelt will return here and remain in comparative seclusion until he goes to Washington late next week to take over the presidency.. Beat Depfession At Old Army Post Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. 23. (AP)— Skilled workmen—some of them college graduates and specialists in highly technical lines—are working at Camp Foster near here for a nltkel a day and their keep to beat the depression "ramp." On I this lOOO-acre tract where 40,000 imen trained during the World war and where the national guards of several states hold summer maneuvers, Jacksonville Is, In a large measure, taking care of its transient, employed with funds from? the Reconstruction Finance corporation. And the men—400 or 500 strong ever since the camp opened nearly three months ago—are happy. That is. those who have been there for a time. They come in feeling pretty low. Jobs are scarce where they have been and the winter has been bitter cold. Their work largely is confined to Improvements at the camp. Trained electricians are rewiring the entire tract. There is a fire department, voluntarily organized, which has repaired an old anny fire wagon of the 1918 vintage. An experienced entomologist has been busy working on shrubbery- exterminating bugs and insects and pnictlclng tree surgery on some of the moss-covered gigantic oaks along the banks of the St. Johns river. The head cook, a native of Holland, formerly was a colonel in the Mexican army. In command of the camp is T. E. Besselleu, a former officer in the American army who was wounded in France. His lieutenant is an old cavalry sergeant. . . Eighteen per cent of the men at the camp are ex-service men and a military air prevails. Of the more than 700 men who have passed through the camp since its Inbeptlon a few months ago. only three: have been illiterates. There is no room there for "hoboes" or professional panhandlers and radicals not wlUing to carry their share of the load or. who try tostir iip dissension are quickly excluded. DERN SELECTION CONFIRMED AND ANOTHER MADE President-elect Roosevelt Says Appointment Is Official A BUDGET DIRECTOR Lewis Douglas to Be the Mainstay in Reorganization Work Hyde Park, N. Y., Feb.' 23 (AP)— President-elect Roosevelt today named George T. Dem of Utah as secretary of war. The president-elect also announced selection of Representative Lewis Douglas, of Arizona, as his new budget directpr. On Mr. Douglas, one of the youthful members of the "national house. Mr. Roosevelt will lean strongly in effecting the sweeping reorganization of government he contemplates; Douglas was chairman of the special house economy committee and is r^ognized as an authority on the subject. He has been working wltj- SWagar Sherley of Kentucky, and Daniel C. Roper, of South Carolina, in preparing the reorganlzatTon plan, A Sadden Break. The announcement of George Dem for secretary of war came suddenly from Mr. Roosevelt. He was asked today by newspapermen about reports that Derh had been invited and had accepted. j "I can confirm that," shot back Roosevelt with a smile. "You were surprised at that, weren't you?" ho added, chuckling as the newspapermen went to work. The announcement was made nt the president-elect's secluded homo here on the banks of the Hudson, where he spent the day packing and unpacking after his month's absence. The president-elect declined to go Into further details about his cabinet despite all the published reports that It was now.complete and that Harold Ickes. of Chlcat;o would be secretary of Interior and Daniel Roper secretary of commerce. The director of the budget Is the president's personal handler of the nation's purse strings. He keeps a watchful eye on the money spent by the departments In carrying on thr day by day business of the nation. Every week during the year the budget director confers with his chief and lays before him the latest statement of conditions of the government finances and, estimates of future expenditures and receipts. The budget bureau prepares for the president his annual budgftt messaee to congress delivered each December on the opening of the session. This contains the estimate of every dollar to be spent by the government in the ensuing year and shows congress just how each dollar Is to be spent. i COMMUNIST LEADS NEVADA SXhES- DEMONSTRATORS Salt Lake City, Feb.- 23. (AP) ,A browd estimated by newspaper reporters'at 1,000 under the leadership of M. P. Bales, Communist candidate for governor of Utah at the lasr'election, prevented seven sheriff's tax sales at !the city and county building hero today, and w;as driven from the structure by tear gas bombs thrown by deputy sheriffs. Slieriff Grant Young.was cut about the face when a chair was thrown through a window of the building. Patrolman O. IE. Neuman received cuts on his hand and Patrolman R. S. Cahoon was be.aten. . The gas filled the city and eounty offices and business was. brought to a halt. The crowd remained at the court house steps where the sales had been advertised for today, and was exhorted by Bales to stand fast and prevent their resumption. Reports that shots had been fired were denied by Sheriff Young, who expressed the oijln- lon the detonations of the tear gas bombs had been heard. Washinirton. Feb. 23 (AP)—Representative Lewis W. Douglas <^ Ariz.), when Informed today that President-elect Roosevelt had .announced him as director of the budget, said he would attempt; to work out a program to balance the federal finances which he considered one of the most Important ob- lectives of the incoming administration: . The young Arizona representative is completing several terms in the house after being a member of the appropriations and economics committees, i He Is 39 years old. a graduate of Amherst college'in the class of 1916. and a world war veteran, serving ns a first lieutenant In the field artillery. , f SPORTSMAN SUICIDE nirs. John R. Fdl Tells of Death of Husband in: Java BANKS IN MICHIGAN REOPEN Withdrawals .Allowed on Percentage Basis Following: Holiday. Detroit. Feb 23. (AP)—Michigan's banks opened for restricted business today, some of them for the first time ] since Governor William A. Comstock's emergency closing order ten days ago. . Rudolph E. Bclchert. state banking commissioner, said that mosc banks were "doing business In the best possible way," and congratulated the state's bankers on their cooperation during the emergency. He said that most ibanks were cashing checks that had not already beenicleared. on the depository percentage basis laid down In the governor's second proclamation- Issued Tuesday. Generally the banks were following the plan under operation for the past week in Detroit, allowing depositors to withdraw, live per cent of their deposits. In Detroit at the opening hour there vrere no lineups outside the banks and few instances of unasual numbers of i customers Inside. Bound by the rules of the Detroit Clearing House association, most Detrblt bankers said they were awaiting clarification of Governor Cb?nJ5tock'.s second proclamation, und^r which he set forth rules for limited. opcratldns, as well as the enactment of state and national legls^^ton to ease the sltuatloa. Surakarta. Java, Feb. 23. (AP)— Mrs. John R. Pell, wife of the Philadelphia sportsman who died of a knife wound in a local hotel last night, told police today that his last words were: "It's my jfault. I did It." He had no business or domestic worries, Mrs. Fell told the police, and she knew of nothing which might explain a suicide. The police version of Mr. Fell's death was as follows: Mrs. Fell was standing near a wash room in their room with her back toward her husband, who was eating dinner. She turned about and saw Mr. Pell rise and stumble toward the bed. Near the bed he collapsed and sl\e observed a table knife protruding from his breast. She seized the knife, threw ft away and gave the alarm. One of the hotel guests entered the room just in time to hear Fell declare he himself did it. LiniE KNOWN OFSITUTATION Conflicting Reports and Inadequate Communication a Qindance (By the Aasodated Rreta.) Conflicting reports from various sources, and the lack of adequate communication faculties have made it difficult to dctennlne the status of military- operations m Eastern Jchol. A i-eport from Mukden Indicated that Japan might postpone the drive Into that province until the weather improves, but word from Chang- Chun.^ .Manchuria, said General Chang Hal-Peng, commanding the army in Manchuquo. began an advance at midnight Wednesday against the Chinese forces in Jehol. One consideration was said to be developments in the League of Nations, which has under consideration recommendations which have been made condemning Japanese policj- in Manchuria. Another was heavy snowfall in South Manchuria and Jehol which was impeding operations. Purthenriore, a peaceful settlement of- the problem Was reported to be the hope of some Japanese leaders from developments hi Pelphig. Reports -that Chaoyang. Jchol's second largest city, and other towns in Eastern J^ol were bombed by Japanese planes were Issued today at Chinese military headquarters In Peiping. Japanese reports said one of two advancing armies in Jehol was at Peipiao. 20 miles northeast of Chao­ yang, awaiting expiration of an ultimatum at midnight tonight before starting the long-heralded "big .show." Chinese- sources said Pei­ piao was attacked but denied it was captured. The other Japanese army, 150 miles northward, was approaching Kailu, northern key city, with bombing planes leading the way. -The Japanese spokesman at Shanghai said the Chinese Nationalist government was Informed today that unless its troops are with- drawJi from Jehol they will be expelled forcibly. . Japanese ambassadors In tlie United States, England, France'. Italy, and Germany were Instructed to Inform those governments that J.ipan Is mindful of their Interests In the Pciplng-'Tientsln treaty area and will not Invade those iwo cities unless Chinese reprisals force such action. Reports from Japanese sources in Chlnchow said two divisions of Chinese troops were marching' towards Shanhaikwan on the way to Jehol. At Changchun, Manchuria, it was disclosed that General Qhang Hal- Peng, commanding the army of Manchukuo, started an advance at midnight Wednesday against the Chinese forces In Jehol. NORTHERN PART OF COLORADO A" SCENE OF HUNT Search for Kidnaped Denver H^ir Centers in Rugsred Country VOW OF VENGEANCE Charles Boettcher Will Spend Fortune to See Justice Done CERMAK S-nLL ON THE MEND. Doctors Give Him 80-20 Chance to Survive Wounds Now. John R. Fell, clubman and sportsman of Philadelphia and New York, Who Is dead In Java, was on a world tour with his thh-4 wife, the former Dorothy Ederton, an actress whom he married in January, last year. He was bom in Philadelphia, a son of the late Mrs. Alexander Van Rensselaer and her. first husband, Jolin R. Fell. His grandfather was the late Anthony Drexel. In the years just before the war he was widely known as a polo player. Mr. Fell's fhst wife, the former Dorothy Randolph, Is now the wife of Ogden L. MUls. secretary of the treasury. They had three children. John R. FeU Jr., of New York, and !PhlUip S. P. Fell and Dorothy R. Pell, who live with their mother. Mr. PeU was 43. Two Divorces Granted. Final divorces were granted -yesterday to Margaret Krupp from John Krupp and to Lee Wadley from Thelma Wadley, by District Judge Fraak. Forrest. Miami, Fla., Feb.. 23. (AP)—Dr. Karl A. Meyer said at noon tbday that Mayor' Cermak had Improved to such an extent he considered he had an "eighty per cent chance to recover." "He has made remarkable strides forward this morning, and putting it in percentages, I would say he has an 80-20 chance, to recover." George Getz, of Chicago, EdWard Kelly of the Chicago sputh park Improvement board and Aldermari Ames Bowler of Chicago visited the mayor in his sick room today. However a sign "no visitors" still was on the door to his, room. Mr. Cermak's temperature at noon was 99 degrees. "1 North Kentucky Graveled. Another of the unemployment relief projects directed by the city with the; cooperation of the lola welfare 1 association has been completed, Harrison, Ashford, city engineer said today. Gravel surface has been laid on North Kentucky from Lincoln south to within a block of East street-, making the entire street hard surfaced. The next undertaking will be on Fourth street, Ashford said. Farm Bureau Leaders Meet. About forty gardening and nutrition leaders In. .both the Allea and Woodson cdunty farm bureaus: were In! lola yesterday for a le^on- mectlng , Ih Memorial .hall. The meeting was addressed by Henry Lobenstcin and Miss Foote, both from the . Kansas state college- at •AXanbattah. Denver, Feb. 23. (AP)—Bleak chalk blufDs :0f northern Colorado, known in police parlance as the "imderground distillery," because of tlie number of isolated subterranean liquor plants, were searched today In the belief (Jharles Boettcher Jr., kidnaped Investment broker, may be. held captive there. The search was ordered by Chief of Police A. T. Clark on the strength of Claude K. Boettcher's first actual attempt to keep a rendezvous with the kidnapers In that vicinity. Efforts of the millionaire to meet the abductors of his son Tuesday ^ night were frustrated by two Denver detectives who followed the ^1- der Boettcher. The father, acting Independently of authorities, refused to continue his excursion toward Derby, Colo., situated on tho edge of the fugged country. Into Cabins Too. BheriUs Lee Tcmpleton of Ada^ns county and W. W. Wyatt of Weld bounty led deputies Into the wild region today..' They said they also exixicted to Search numerous abandoned cabins along the Colorado- Wyoming border. Meanwhile the elder Boettcher Remained In his palatial home waiting further word Irom the kldnapi- ers. He pledged a father's vengeance to the abductors If his son was harmed while In their custody. ; "I will spend five times the $60,000 ransom or ten times that sum,.'to track them down If they harm pne hair of my son's head," the multimillionaire declared, a short tline after It was learned a revolver had' been ordered for him by his son's firm, Boettcher, Newton & Co. -. His voice Charged with emqtfon, the father deUvered his ultimatum to the kidnapers of his son at a conference with newspapermen. Father is Willing. "The abdu (a ;ors know I am ready and willing to meet their demands," .he said. f'SUrely they are buslriess men enough to take care lof my ison so they can- fulfill their part of the, bargain." i Today was : the eleventh day-of • young Boettcher's captivity. • PqUce; said they were stalemated In ttielr. Investigation |>ecause of the father's announced ;polIcy of non-coop^ra- tlon with them. Boettcher blamed his failure Tuesday to.:contact the abductors on a lonely rbad on his being followed by detectives. He awaits further moves by his son's captors.; Police last night arrested P. A. Tyson, 40, foriinvestlgatlon after Mrs. Charles Boettcher II, was reported to have sal^ his picture resembled one of the kidnapers. Three other men were In jail, among them O. K. Stevens, Identified by police as a Colorado Springs gambling house owner. ! •• Denver, Feb. 23. j(AP)— Two dty detectives, Harry Bklr and > Dave Chuven, left Denver today by ah:plane for Sidney, Nebr., to aid'au­ thorities there search what Chief of Police A. Ti Clark described as a "mysterious house" where Charles' Boettcher it, kidnaped broker, may bo held prisoner. The detectives expected to arrive there before 4 p. m. - . ; MUST HAVE THE BARBERSHOP Sehate Expenses Cannot Be Reduced ^ to That Ejtient. Washington, Feb. 23. (AP)-^The long-awaited Democratic plan for reducing senate expenditures was passed today by the senate biit it did not eliminate the $8000 a :year barbershop and expenses for brushes, mouth washes, gargles, mineral water and the like. The economy program devoted Its attention to reducing the nulnber of employes In the office of the' secretary and the sergeant-at-arms and cutting down on doorkeepers and messengers. • The plan was offered by Seaiator Hayden, (D., Ariz.), and agreed to without a record vote as the senate considered the IB-million-doUai; legislative supply bill, carrying ftmds for the house, the senate, library of congress, government printing office, botanical gardens and several other federal agencies'. Democrats estimated the Htiyden plan would save about $43.0()0 In the next 15 months and thereafter result In economies of approximately $33,000 yearly in the senate's 3-million-dollar a year expenditures. LETTER CARRIERS CONVENE. O. R. Shelley of Winfield Elected President at Parsons. Parsons, Kas., Feb. 23. (AP),—The Kansas federation of rural letter carriers in annual convention, here late yesterday elected O. R. Shelley of Winfield president. Other ofBcers elected are Byron E. Rood, Winfield, vice-president, and -H. Laymon, Parsons, secretary and treasurer; John A. Bmnbaugh, Pittsburg and A. J. Collins, executive board members. The executive board will select the 1934 meeting place. Board members Indicated 55.they would select Emporia which was, chosen by postal clerto ftnd city carrlesrs. ,